Is International SIP Trunking Right For Your Business?

Exploring the Features and Benefits of International SIP Trunking

When your business relies on a high volume of international calls, the cost of those calls can become overwhelming. The communications systems many businesses use to make and receive international calls are also complex and often outdated, which are costly, cumbersome and not designed to easily adapt and scale as a business changes and grows. Maintaining consistent voice quality depends on a reliable connection, which can pose a problem for outdated, legacy solutions. So, what’s the answer?

International SIP trunking is a cost-effective and future-proof communications solution that enables your business to make and receive international calls via the internet. From cheaper calls to consistent, high-quality communications and providing access to a scalable solution that grows with your business, international SIP trunking provides a wealth of benefits to businesses. Which we’re going to explore in this article. If you’re looking to discover the features of international SIP trunks and what to look for in a SIP trunk provider, then keep on reading!

What is International SIP Trunking?

International SIP trunking connects your existing PBX to the public network, over the internet. As you will be using the internet to make calls – and the internet is global – international SIP trunking allows you to make overseas calls at dramatically reduced rates. That’s what international SIP trunking does, but how does it work?

How SIP trunks work

SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol and it is an application protocol that enables VoIP (Voice over IP) telephony. SIP trunks work by connecting your phone system to the internet by acting as a virtual version of an analogue phone line. SIP trunk providers use these virtual ‘lines’ to facilitate calls over the internet.

What is the Difference Between ISDN and SIP Trunks?

The ISDN is a network of connections that has been supporting communications and connectivity for generations. However, as technology has advanced, we are now relying on solutions that the ISDN was not designed to support and therefore, it’s not capable of supporting high quality, modern communications and connectivity. In 2015 Openreach announced that they were going to be retiring this outdated network in favour of all-IP (internet-based) solutions.

As we’ve just outlined, SIP trunks are internet-based and is a great alternative for businesses who have previously been relying on ISDN connections for their communications. It’s a really economical solution, as we’ll outline in more detail shortly, as you can connect your existing communications system (depending on compatibility) to the internet via the SIP trunk, meaning you don’t need to completely replace your system to have access to a high-quality international communications system.

Read more: A Starter Guide to SIP Trunking – What it is, How it Works & Benefits

What Are the Benefits of International SIP Trunking?

From cost-savings to future-proofing your communications, there are many advantages for businesses who switch from PSTN/ISDN-reliant communications systems to SIP Trunking, namely:

Improved ROI

International SIP trunks are a well-established technology, that incur minimal upfront setup and installation costs and the money they can save, thanks to cost-effective calls, means you see your return on investment quickly.

Global Presence

Make and receive calls to anywhere in the world for less. As calls are sent and received over the internet, you won’t incur the high costs associated with international calls placed over traditional analogue systems.

Predictable Costs

Trying to demystify analogue phone charges for different call types and features can be a real headache for your finance or administration teams. Guesswork is a thing of the past with SIP trunking, as the costs of your solution are wrapped up in one, easy-to-understand bill that’s usually charged on a price per user, per month model. This means less time spent adding up the costs of your calls and more time spent turning those calls into sales.

Future-proof Solution

As we’ve spoken about earlier, the PSTN/ISDN networks will be switched off by 2025 and SIP is a fantastic alternative to these outdated solutions – so, if you’re looking to make the switch, now is the time! As there are no physical lines to install, when a new member joins your team, you can easily scale the solution to meet the needs of your growing business, so your communications are built for the future.

Improved Reliability

From inclement weather to construction work, there are a variety of factors that can interrupt an analogue telephone services. As SIP trunks operate via the internet, it’s a far more resilient service that is less likely to fall victim to disruption, so your business can take advantage of crystal clear, reliable communications.

Is International SIP Trunking Right For My Business?

Many businesses have been moving away from PSTN/ISDN services since 2007 and with the Switch-Off being just around the corner, these services will become obsolete by 2025. This means that if your business is still relying on solutions that are dependent on PSTN/ISDN connections – you will need to start looking for an alternative soon. If you are a business who relies on large numbers of international calls and are looking for PSTN/ISDN alternative solution, international SIP trunks is likely to be an ideal solution for you.  As we’ve already discovered, SIP provides a range of valuable benefits for businesses of all sizes. The biggest question is how can your business take advantage of everything this solution has to offer and how can you integrate it effectively? This is where working with a knowledgeable SIP provider is vital.

How to Choose a SIP Trunk Provider

When it comes to finding the best SIP trunk provider for your business, there are a few key factors to consider to ensure that you are working with knowledgeable specialists, who can help you to get the most out of your solution.

• Years of industry experience: the best SIP trunk provider for the job, should have solid knowledge of SIP solutions and experience implementing them effectively within businesses.
• Accreditations: partnerships and awards with industry-leading brands will ensure that you have access to top SIP solutions and knowledgeable experts.
• Account management: having access to your own account manager will take the hassle out of managing your contract and ensure your solution is always fit for purpose.
• Suitable support: whether it’s a query regarding how your new solution works or if you run into an issue, it’s important to have support on hand whenever you need it to avoid downtime.

Read more: What is the ROI of SIP trunking?

Switch to SIP with Elite Group

If you’re looking to optimise your communications and reduce the cost of your international calls, then international SIP trunking is an ideal solution for your business. When you work with Elite Group, you have access to our team of accredited, experienced SIP trunk specialists, who will work with you to discover how best to implement this solution to meet your needs. Once your new SIP trunk solution has been installed, you will have access to your own, named account manager who will be there to answer questions, manage your contract and ensure you’re taking advantage of all the benefits your solution has to offer. You will also have access to our dedicated support team, for quick resolutions to queries and support requests.

Ready to make the move to SIP? Call us today on 0344 875 8880 or fill out our contact form and one of our specialists will be in touch soon.